Invasive SpeciesGiant reed

Phragmites australis
FOUND by C ZEM i
2014-09-22
Falmouth
ID Confirmed
Quality checked by ZEM n
Peer reviewed by Ms.H
Field Notes
We discovered our invasive species is so invasive that nothing else can grow there. We were surprised not to find our native species, the common cattail with the giant reed. Near our invasive species we discovered that less than a fourth of our study site is covered in trees. The soil was saturated, and there were two different species in our quadrat. We also saw a paved road, walking trail, people, a recent disturbance, construction, and stones. In our quadrat there were ten to twenty giant reeds, this plant is reproducing with flowers. With our invasive species we saw the forest behind it and the road in front of it. We heard the wind and the rustling of leaves. We inhaled the fresh Autumn air.
A sketch of our study site.
Supporting Evidence
Photo of my evidence.
First we identified the giant reed had a hollow stem.
Photo of my evidence.
Once we made sure the plant had a hollow stem we made sure that the leaves were sword shaped. We also made sure they were at least two to five centimeters wide and up to a half of a meter long with smooth edges.
Photo of my evidence.
After we identified the hollow stem and sword shaped leaves we identified that the flowers matched the identification card. They were feathery bunches that were started to change from purple to gold just because the season was changing from summer to fall. This matched the description on our identification card.
Species Observation: Species Looked For
Did you find it?: 
I think I found it
Scientific name:
Phragmites australis
Common name:
Giant reed
Sampling method: 
Quadrat (user-placement)
Photo of our sampling method.
Place Studied
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Map this species
Latitude: 
N 43.737160 °
Longitude: 
W -70.276010 °
Observation Site Information
A photo of our study site.
Habitat: 
Upland - Forest
Trip Information
Name:
Falmouth Middle School Yard
Trip date: 
Mon, 2014-09-22 08:36
Town or city: 
Falmouth
Type of investigation: 
Species Survey
Ecosystem: 
Upland
Watershed: 
Presumpscot

Comments

Submitted by CBEP wetland bo... on Wed, 2014-10-01 11:19.

Great application of logic ID'ing the plant

I really appreciate the layout of your report. the sequence of phots in order, with the clear comments show the way you logically applied the information on the species identification cards.

Nicely done.

Submitted by C ZEM n on Tue, 2014-09-30 11:51.

I agree with your study.

I agree with your study.

Submitted by Moss Boss on Wed, 2014-09-24 12:11.

Great field notes!

Thanks for posting. While it's a bummer you didn't find any cattails, your VS field notes made it really easy to understand what your field conditions are like. Makes me wish I was out in the field right now, looking for invasive species :)

Cheers and happy observing!
-MB